"Rome Is Burning" is secret government code for a potential terrorist attack in the U.S. The City of Los Angeles is in danger, and no one knows it. Special Agent John Swenson, aka The Iron Eagle, and Sheriff's Homicide Detective Jim O'Brian have been in search of a serial killer with a twist: a terrorist plot of tremendous proportions. A disgraced Marine Corps Colonel has hatched a plan with her subordinates to destroy the city of Los Angeles and kill millions of its citizens. John Swenson, also a highly decorated former Marine Corps MARSOC black operative, must step out of his role as FBI agent and back into his military training to stop what will be the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Swenson and O'Brian engage with Swenson's retired unit to attempt to stop the devastation. With every turn in the investigation and hunt for the terrorists, a deeper anti-government plot is uncovered, and the only thing standing in the way of death and destruction for a city and a nation is The Iron Eagle and his team of black operatives.
On May 11, 1995, at 30, Roy's life was irrevocably changed. After walking into the hospital, he was admitted and later received a sobering and life changing diagnosis - Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. His doctors gave him two years to live, and he left the hospital in a wheelchair. Roy, not one for giving up, and having a, then, three-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son, went immediately into human subjects research at UCLA and spent 12 years (1995-2007) as a human research subject. His experience gave him a unique look behind the scenes of medicine and the processes that are required to get drugs through the research chain, from the animal research phase to using those drugs in humans in clinical trials, and, if successful, on to the FDA for approval. Roy participated in four major experimental drug trials, and one of those ended up giving him thyroid cancer, which was diagnosed in January 2001.
Life as a Survivor
Roy is a proud cancer survivor and has refused to let MS define his life. His dedication to his work and to human subject research both inspired his writing as well as showed the real human condition when laid bare. As an author, Roy A. Teel Jr. is very diverse, and his works include both fiction and nonfiction. He earned his bachelor's degree in Ministerial Studies through Berean University of the Assemblies of God then went on to earn doctorates of Divinity and Biblical Studies through ULC Ministries.
Nonfiction
Roy's first nonfiction book, The Way, The Truth, and The Lies: How the Gospels Mislead Christians about Jesus' True Message, was published in 2005 and is taught in both religious and secular universities in the U.S. and abroad. Against The Grain: The American Mega-Church and its Culture of Control was published in 2008. This second book reveals the unflattering true faces of the "Goliaths of God" and shows religion and churches for what they really are - businesses - very, very lucrative and influential businesses involved in many facets of American society.
Short Fiction
In 2008, Roy published a collection of short stories titled, Light of Darkness: Dialogues in Death. These collected stories were inspired by both his difficult and troubled childhood as well as his years in clinical trials. He met and knew many people, many whom lost the battle due to natural causes, or in some cases, by their own hand, that he felt compelled to fictionalize and share their stories.
Novel-length Fiction
In 2013, Roy released his first novel, And God Laughed, a neoplatonic dialogue between one man and God. Although now a secular humanist, Roy believes in God but rejects all religions as man's folly and wrote a fictional narrative about a relationship with God outside of religion.
Current Project
In 2014, Roy began publishing his latest and largest project - a 40-novel geographically-centered hard boiled, mystery, suspense, thriller crime series: "The Iron Eagle Series." The main character, a former Marine Corps Black Operative turned rogue FBI agent, hunts killers in Los Angeles. Each novel addresses different subjects, and while fiction, all titles deal with real world subject matter. "The Iron Eagle Series" is not about things that can't hurt you. What happens in these novels can happen to any one of us if we let our guard down and/or are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Life as an Author
After battling Multiple Sclerosis for nearly 16 years, Roy began devoting his energies and passions to the full-time art of storytelling. Although he is no longer able to work in a high stress executive environment, his life has taken on a new mission: to inform and entertain. His disability has brought with it an unforeseen blessing. He can finally take medications to alleviate some of the pain from his MS and focus on the pleasures of character creation and the joys of putting words to paper.
Roy A. Teel has done it yet again. In his latest crime thriller, Rome is Burning, he has created terror so horrifying and real that many reviewers have docked him in reviews simply because he's scared them so badly. He's created a situation that could happen, could very well BE happening, right now. Rome is Burning again features the Iron Eagle, but not in his usual role. I’m not going to tell you much more than that. I don’t want to give anything away, especially for those of you who haven’t read this series (and why haven’t you??). All the regular characters appear in this book, as well, rushing to save the city of Los Angeles from devastation. Millions of lives hang in the balance. Terrorists are about to strike and only the Iron Eagle can save the city and all those lives. Or can he? Is this something that’s too huge for even the Eagle to handle? Teel writes about the world as it is. He cuts no corners, does not try to shelter us from the monsters that really are under our beds and in our closets. Yes, people. American is full of homegrown terrorists. We should probably be prepared to deal with that. Teel peels back the false faces and reveals the hideousness beneath. If you don't want to read about hard-core reality and the terrors that exist in our own country, you don't want to read Roy A. Teel, Jr. However, if you want to read about fast-paced adventure, high-strung heroes facing down real-life demons, then check out Roy A. Teel, Jr. I give Rome is Burning 4 ½ out of 5 fiery stars, docked ½ star because I wanted it to go on for much, much longer! It is shorter than Teel’s prior books, but it DOES cover the story fully. I just was unhappy because I had no more Teel. I received a copy of this book for review purposes, though all opinions are my own.
The intensity continues in book three. By this point I have really grown close to Jim, Steve, and John. Each one is a tough ass in his own way but I like this as they handle and look at each case from a different angle.
However in this book the Iron Eagle took a little step back and was not the main focus. Yet, I liked getting to see his human side. Well if you the Iron Eagle has two different sides. They both fight for the same thing...deliverance to the evil ones. I think in this book that the Iron Eagle did meet his match and the enemy in this book really tested the Iron Eagle's wits. The storyline in this book was not just kill and be killed but it also added another layer with the poetry associated with the killings. I have not read so much gruesome heinous acts since Chelsea Cain. Another favorite author of mine. These books are so addicting. Onward to book four.
Well readers, when I first started Roy's book series way back with The Rise of the Iron Eagle, I most certainly expected to roll through them faster than lightning. But then life happened. My mother has read up through book six and here I am still on book three. Or rather, having just finished book three. If I were to sum up this book (or any of Roy's books really) in one word it would be INTENSE.
Rome is Burning reunites us with FBI Special Agent John Swenson and Homicide Detective Jim O'Brian as they take on a much bigger threat to the state of California and the U.S. in general: Terrorism. And not just terrorism from Bush's 9/11 but terrorism of the wort kind, domestic terrorists. Terrorists living not just right here in America, but strategically placed in government offices nationwide.
I will be completely honest with you all, dear readers. It is extremely difficult to give you a clear blurb about this book because the first two books really should be read before diving into book three and the many books planned to come after. So rather than type out too many spoilers, let me link you directly to Roy's site so you can check it all out for yourself: The Iron Eagle Series
Now let's get on with the review, shall we?
As with all of Roy's other books (so far reviewed The Rise of the Iron Eagle and Evil and the Details), the moment you begin reading you will find yourself fully submerged into a world of murder and mayhem, wit and humor somehow working completely in conjunction to ring you one of the most vivid and realistic stories you may ever read. I admit that I figured book one would be a one off and that no one could continue such amazing realism book after book but Roy has somehow managed to prove me wrong (and as you all know, that NEVER happens!).
The books are not just well written and complete but always leave you wanting more. Graphic detail alone could easily turn ones stomach but yet, like a train wreck, you just can't help but keep turning pages.
As John Swenson and Jim O'Brian begin investigating what appears at first glance to be a serial killer in their midst, you can clearly see each crime scene as though you were watching an episode of CSI right inside your head. As the plot unfolds to reveal that this isn't a random series of killing and instead a much bigger plot involving domestic terror and crimes against the state, you are taken into a world that is very real.
Piece by piece the picture becomes clear to us, the reader and soon the entire image shows betrayal of epic proportions, betrayal committed by those who should be serving and protecting. The question is not how will the Iron Eagle clean up this mess but will the heads of state discover who he is and stop him?
I recommend this book and it's complete series to anyone who enjoys true crime and conspiracy theories. Unlike Dan Brown (of DaVinci Code fame), Roy is able to weave a fully believable action packed tale that will make you regard your own local representatives with more than a little apprehension. I myself even sent an email to the author asking specifically how much of this book was "fiction" (to which he replied that the entire plot is, of course, fiction, so you can stop worrying now), which tells you how much this particular book got to me.
If you have been sticking around and reading my reviews many of you will know that I hand out a five star review so rarely they are much like the elusive Never Beast. And I do not believe in giving good reviews simply because I am contracted to read a book (through one of my various affiliations). I tell it like it is and that is that. So when I tell you that if you read no other books this year, you absolutely must read Roy Teel's Iron Eagle series.
Now if yo'll all excuse me, I am going to throw out every ounce of ground beef (and cake mix) we have in the house. And become a vegetarian.
“Rome is Burning” was published in 2014 and was written by Roy A. Teel Jr. Mr. Teel has published six novels, with this being the third in his “Iron Eagle” series.
I obtained a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this Fiction Thriller novel as ‘R’ as there is Mature Language, Mature Situations and Violence. The novel is written in the third person and is set in contemporary Los Angeles, California. The primary characters are FBI agent John Swenson and Sheriff Jim O’Brian.
John Swenson is The Iron Eagle who has appeared in the first two novels of this series. While an FBI Agent, he anonymously sees justice carried out when the system fails. He has assembled a tight knit group of fellow Special Operations combat veterans around him to help with imposing justice when needed. They hold back nothing to succeed, and are not hesitant to resort to torture to get the information that they seek.
Sheriff Jim O’Brian is added to his group as Swenson discovers a plot to take over the US government. He and his crew strike out against terrorists attacking the Los Angeles area, and move to block those who wish to overthrow the government.
The plot is full of conspiracy theories, some kind of far fetched in my opinion. I also felt that there was not a lot of depth to the characters. There is a lot of action. I give this novel a 3.5 (rounded up to 4) out of 5.
Well readers, when I first started Roy's book series way back with The Rise of the Iron Eagle, I most certainly expected to roll through them faster than lightning. But then life happened. My mother has read up through book six and here I am still on book three. Or rather, having just finished book three. If I were to sum up this book (or any of Roy's books really) in one word it would be INTENSE.
Rome is Burning reunites us with FBI Special Agent John Swenson and Homicide Detective Jim O'Brian as they take on a much bigger threat to the state of California and the U.S. in general: Terrorism. And not just terrorism from Bush's 9/11 but terrorism of the wort kind, domestic terrorists. Terrorists living not just right here in America, but strategically placed in government offices nationwide.
I will be completely honest with you all, dear readers. It is extremely difficult to give you a clear blurb about this book because the first two books really should be read before diving into book three and the many books planned to come after. So rather than type out too many spoilers, let me link you directly to Roy's site so you can check it all out for yourself: The Iron Eagle Series
Now let's get on with the review, shall we? As with all of Roy's other books (so far reviewed The Rise of the Iron Eagle and Evil and the Details), the moment you begin reading you will find yourself fully submerged into a world of murder and mayhem, wit and humor somehow working completely in conjunction to ring you one of the most vivid and realistic stories you may ever read. I admit that I figured book one would be a one off and that no one could continue such amazing realism book after book but Roy has somehow managed to prove me wrong (and as you all know, that NEVER happens!).
The books are not just well written and complete but always leave you wanting more. Graphic detail alone could easily turn ones stomach but yet, like a train wreck, you just can't help but keep turning pages.
As John Swenson and Jim O'Brian begin investigating what appears at first glance to be a serial killer in their midst, you can clearly see each crime scene as though you were watching an episode of CSI right inside your head. As the plot unfolds to reveal that this isn't a random series of killing and instead a much bigger plot involving domestic terror and crimes against the state, you are taken into a world that is very real.
Piece by piece the picture becomes clear to us, the reader and soon the entire image shows betrayal of epic proportions, betrayal committed by those who should be serving and protecting. The question is not how will the Iron Eagle clean up this mess but will the heads of state discover who he is and stop him?
I recommend this book and it's complete series to anyone who enjoys true crime and conspiracy theories. Unlike Dan Brown (of DaVinci Code fame), Roy is able to weave a fully believable action packed tale that will make you regard your own local representatives with more than a little apprehension. I myself even sent an email to the author asking specifically how much of this book was "fiction" (to which he replied that the entire plot is, of course, fiction, so you can stop worrying now), which tells you how much this particular book got to me.
If you have been sticking around and reading my reviews many of you will know that I hand out a five star review so rarely they are much like the elusive Never Beast. And I do not believe in giving good reviews simply because I am contracted to read a book (through one of my various affiliations). I tell it like it is and that is that. So when I tell you that if you read no other books this year, you absolutely must read Roy Teel's Iron Eagle series.
Now if yo'll all excuse me, I am going to throw out every ounce of ground beef (and cake mix) we have in the house. And become a vegetarian.
Overall, Rome is Burning is a thriller that keeps you reading. There were two things, however, that affected (i.e., lowered) my rating. First, the layout of the book's pages make it difficult to read. Specifically, long sections of dialogue involving multiple characters are combined in a single paragraph, lasting half a page or more, making it difficult to read. Starting a new paragraph when a new character speaks would have made it much easier for the eye to follow. Second, I'm used to a certain amount of death and destruction in thrillers, but the violence in this book was unnecessarily over-the-top.
I received a free review copy of Rome is Burning through Goodreads Giveaways.
homegrown terrorists strike southern California, fire, death, destruction orchestrated from within the government to impose a dictatorship over the people. millions die. the iron eagle pulls together his old crew of military black operators and foils the worst of it. he also sends back a poison pill....